August 16, 2025 – Transformation

I woke this morning to a text from the wife saying they want to hold onto the van until Monday to make sure everything goes through with the other van. So, Lord, please be with them as they wait and decide….

Carrie’s (future) in-laws called me just as the prayer service was ending this morning to check on me and my eyes. Very thoughtful!  After giving them the highlights of what all has been happening (which I’m sure they know from Carrie but kindly let me talk it through), he pointed out that I need to take it easy for a while because pressure on the eye from too much work of the wrong kind (like sometimes happens to weight-lifters) can be detrimental. He’s a doctor so I should really take that “prescription”  and rest this afternoon listening to my book!  There’s just too much to do, though, and right now is such a good time to do it for so many reasons. I’ll be careful! Guide us, Lord.

Speaking of the book, yesterday I listened to a part in which one of the characters was angry with her friend when she started reading the friend’s new novel that told about their relationship. By the time she got to the end, she felt better and it helped restore their relationship. That’s the short version, but the point of bringing it up is that it reminded me that that’s why I don’t name people in my blog unless I’ve asked first; so, I asked the wife if it’s ok to keep telling the saga of the van (haha) and she said, “Absolutely!!! I love it!!!! Anything God has a hand in should always be shared….!!!”

After I published yesterday’s blog, I realized that I hadn’t read Jesus Always (JA) – which reminds me that I still need to work on the WELCOME section to explain these shortened versions of the book titles.  So:

JA (15) – “Spending time enjoying My Presence is a privilege reserved for those who know me as Savior and Lord.” On the surface we (I), think yes that’s great but then I don’t typically fully lean into or understand the real truth and benefit of doing that. I’m getting better I think, but I do remember many years ago watching and listening to others talk about how much they love God. I realized that I didn’t actually feel that and couldn’t say it to Him and really mean it. I respected and revered and trusted Him, but love seemed difficult for someone – for someone – ahhh for someone I didn’t know very well. Yes, that’s the issue…….

So I began to carve out more time with Him and to say, “I love You” more often even if it didn’t feel very natural. But that’s how it is with any budding relationship as you get to know someone.  I hadn’t had the “privilege” of time with Don at first so speaking of feelings didn’t come naturally for a while. It wasn’t until we got to know each other more and spent more time together that I said the love words and enjoyed saying them and wanted more time with him. It is the same, or can be, as we get to know God!

I was going to start my journal off this morning with asking God to help me with my second-guessing and doubt about what He’s told me (and what I THINK He’s told me), but forgot about it after the prayer service until I started reading JA 15 just now and saw, “…your mind is often a tangled, unfocused mess.” Uhhh, yep. You sure do know me! “Enlist My Spirit to protect your mind and heart from distractions, distortions, deception, anxiety, and other entanglements. This will help unscramble your thoughts and calm your heart – freeing you to search for Me unhindered.” Ohh thank You, Lord, for these timely words. I shouldn’t be surprised that You had them waiting for me. You are amazing how You provide what we need! 

That makes me think of one of the songs during the prayer service. I wrote these lines down while they were singing: “I don’t want anyone else. I don’t need anything else. You are my one thing!”

JA (16) – “I will bless My people with Peace.” This is for someone special out there who is feeling some fear right now. “So when you’re feeling anxious try praying: ‘Jesus, bless me with Your Peace.’ This short, simple prayer connects you with Me and opens you up to My help….The more you lean on Me in confident dependence, the less fearful you will be.” Indeed! Young continues speaking to us as she believes God would, “There is plenty of bad news in the world, but I’m not wringing My hands impotently. I am continually at work – even in the most devastating situations – bringing good out of evil. My kingdom is about transformation, and I invite you to join Me in this endeavor. Live as a child of the Light. Together we will draw others out of darkness into the Light of My transforming Presence.” In Jesus’ Name, AMEN!

Back to the van….the old me would’ve already picked it up and would’ve been seeking other solutions (embarrassed that it didn’t work out after I talked about it working out). However, this “maturing” me realized that this was more than I can handle so I just accepted the wait and again told God I trust Him. And they do too! In our texting this morning, she sent me a meme with a lion on it with these encouraging words, “The devil caught me with my head down and got excited until I looked up and said, ‘Amen.’ “  I think that’s a good one to end on for today!

Psalm 29:11 – The Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace.

Psalm 112:7 – He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.

Ephesians 5:8-10 – For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of the light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.